In the wake of a high-profile federal operation in Phoenix, the Department of Homeland Security announced that thousands of criminal migrants could soon be deported to El Salvador’s CECOT prison, a facility designed to house some of Central America’s most dangerous individuals. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the news following Tuesday’s raid, which led to the arrest of three convicted felon migrants.
“You’ll see us continuing to partner with El Salvador. CECOT has the capacity for 40,000 individuals, and [President Nayib Bukele] has said they’ll take as many as we want to send,” said Noem. Currently, the prison holds around 14,000 inmates, but El Salvador’s government has plans to expand the facility to accommodate the influx. “He plans to build another prison right next to it,” Noem added, referencing Bukele’s ongoing crackdown on organized crime.
CECOT, known for its stark and heavily militarized environment, was constructed to dismantle El Salvador’s entrenched gang networks. Under Bukele’s leadership, the facility has become a symbol of a zero-tolerance approach toward criminal activity, drawing both international attention and domestic support.
The renewed deportation push is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to clamp down on transnational crime and enforce long-dormant immigration statutes. A key component of the effort is the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, which provides the president with authority to remove individuals tied to hostile or criminal entities. While lower courts initially blocked its use, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 this week to uphold the administration’s application of the law, clearing the way for hundreds of deportations to proceed.
“We’re going to continue using that act in order to return people from these terrorist organizations to face consequences and be removed from our country,” said Noem after the ruling. The decision marks a legal victory for the administration and reinforces its strategy of using existing law to fast-track deportations of gang-affiliated migrants, particularly from Venezuela.
In addition to the enforcement of the Alien Enemies Act, the administration is invoking the Alien Registration Act of 1940. Starting April 11, foreign nationals residing in the United States for more than 30 days will be required to register with federal authorities. Failure to comply could result in steep penalties, including fines of up to $1,000 per day.
“Everyone should know that because we’re enforcing the Alien Registration Act, if you’ve been here longer than 30 days and haven’t registered with the government, we are now coming after you criminally,” Noem warned. The DHS Secretary stated that this effort is aimed at ensuring that only legal residents are afforded the protections and privileges of living in the United States.
The policy marks a major shift in enforcement philosophy, signaling a return to strict application of immigration law that prioritizes the safety and rights of American citizens. For too long, federal agencies were hamstrung by judicial activism and bureaucratic hesitation. Now, with legal barriers removed and political will restored, the administration is taking direct action to combat the spread of organized crime and illegal residency. These measures serve as a reminder that American sovereignty and security are not negotiable.
